Description
Dairy free and gluten free, this creamy cajun chicken pasta is a lightened up version of a comfort food classic! A cozy recipe made with cashew cream instead of dairy that’s perfect for any night of the week that’s wholesome, and full of big, crave-able Cajun flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
- 12 ounces gluten free pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 a large red pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 a large yellow or orange pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch or two of cayenne (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Parsley, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Soak Cashews: Cover raw cashews with boiled water for 30-60 minutes, or simmer on the stove top for 10 minutes until pale and plump.
- Cook Pasta: Boil gluten free pasta according to package instructions, reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, and drain.
- Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, thyme, and cayenne.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat, add chicken, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of spice mix, cook through, and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet, sauté onion, bell peppers, and garlic for 3-4 minutes until tender.
- Add Paste: Stir in tomato paste and remaining spice mix; cook for 1 minute until aromatic, then remove from heat.
- Blend Sauce: Blend drained cashews, broth, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper on high until super smooth and creamy.
- Combine: Return skillet to medium low heat, stir in cooked pasta, chicken, and cashew cream sauce.
- Simmer: Bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes, adding reserved pasta water a bit at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Top with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
Storage: Keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in a sealed container. Freezing: Not recommended. To re-heat: Warm on low in a skillet or microwave, adding water, nut milk, or broth to restore consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: dairy free, gluten free, meal prep, one pot, stovetop, cashews, chicken, cajun
